Africa gets ready for democracy?

S.A.M.

S.A.M.

uniquely dreadful
Valued Senior Member
http://allafrica.com/stories/200702010001.html

For the first time in its history, Africa is poised to get its very own U.S. military command.

The advent of "AFRICOM", which will be heralded next week when U.S. President George W. Bush submits his 2008 budget request to Congress, marks an official acknowledgement that a variety of ostensible threats in Africa require more sustained high-level attention by the Pentagon than it has been able to give until now.

Of particular concern are Africa's role in the "global war on terror," or, in Pentagon parlance, "the long war", the growing importance of the region's natural resources, especially oil and gas, to the world economy, and increased competition with China, among other countries, for those resources.

West Africa currently provides nearly 20 percent of the U.S. supply of hydrocarbons, up from 15 percent just five years ago and well on the way to a 25-percent share forecast for 2015.

Africa has been parceled out between three U.S. regional commands. The European Command (EUCOM), which covers all of Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey, as well as the rest of Europe, also includes North Africa west of Egypt and all of West, central, and continental southern Africa.

The Central Command (CENTCOM), which covers Central Asia and the Middle East, also includes Egypt, Sudan and the Horn of Africa. Finally, the Pacific Command (PACOM) covers the African islands of the Indian Ocean, including Madagascar, as well as all of Asia and the Pacific.

Creation of AFRICOM, which will be based, initially at least, at EUCOM headquarters in Germany, has strong support from both parties in Congress.
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Thoughts?
 
samcdkey said:
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

"...marks an official acknowledgement that a variety of ostensible threats in Africa require more sustained high-level attention by the Pentagon than it has been able to give until now."

So? Someone at the Pentagon is going to watch the happenings in Africa a bit more than usual. So what?

I think any nation with any brains at all should pay attention to happenings in other nations of the world, don't you? Or do you subscribe to the "Ignorance is bliss" doctrine?

Baron Max
 
Historically Neutral. Has everyones Money. All citizens are armed. No real resources except for snow. Have you ever been to Switzerland? Way too expensive for my tastes...
 
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